Thanks to Rachael for a very long day’s driving from Ballarat to her in-laws house in Canberra in increasing heat and smoke as we went East. These are a couple of the things we saw on the way. There is a submarine in the town of Holbrook (400km from the sea) because it used to be called Germanton and felt it ought to change its … Continue reading To Canberra

Christmas Day So this is my first really warm Christmas. Last night I went on the train from Melbourne and was picked up by Rachael and her dad. Today we did a brief tour round the town before having lunch at one set of relations and barbecue at another set. Much drink taken. Very kind people. This is the memorial to Australian prisoners of war … Continue reading Ballarat

Off, today (Monday) to St Kilda. This is a seaside suburb of Melbourne with some wonderful old architecture. Includes this, the oldest roller coaster in the world. Built in 1912 by the people who created Coney Island in the States as part of the Luna Park amusement park. I believe they’re all called Luna Parks in Australia now. There is a row of four of … Continue reading Melbourne continued

I am enjoying the little apartment thing. They also only clean every 3 days unless you request otherwise, so no pressure to be out, clean and tidy by 10am. This morning, to the art gallery of Victoria. Didn’t have long as had managed to get a last minute ticket for a matinee at the theatre on the way. Then to see Chicago. Starring …. wait … Continue reading Culture in Melbourne

This is the view from my room in the hotel in Lorne this morning. With sparrow. And this is the hotel. Very nice apart from a slight aroma of disinfectant and a need to haul the suitcase up four flights of stairs to the second floor. So I drove again – from Lorne along the remains of the Great Ocean Road through Torquay to Geelong. … Continue reading To Melbourne

So today it has been up to 43 degrees. I drove from Port Fairy (a very pretty town), down the Great Ocean Road to Lorne, where I now am. Thank heavens for car air conditioning. Despite the fact that I have been on the coast and that the next landfall you would make from here would be Antarctica, even the wind is hot. Looking at … Continue reading Scorchio!

Well I have driven a long way round South Australia and into Victoria now. There are long straight roads with very little traffic for the most part. (Although last night’s and tonight’s hotels are on main roads….). There seem to be more lorries and road trains in Victoria than SA. The roads are also worse. Alongside the roads there are a combination of native bush … Continue reading Driving

Today, Matthew, I have been driving again. 442 km to be precise. Left Victor Harbor at 8am (28 degrees), arrived in Wellington at 9.15 am (35 degrees) and took the ferry across the Murray River. This is apparently the 3rd longest river in the world and goes all the way to Queensland. Had to go all the way around Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert on … Continue reading Hot, hotter hottest

It is very hot here although not as hot as it could be. Anne and I have been ‘helping’ Josh with an adult jigsaw – one that he chose and is possibly the most difficult one in the house. We have also watched the first Hobbit film and I have been to have my hair cut. It’ll be fine when I’ve washed the spray out! … Continue reading 9 days to Christmas…

After a rough night pondering Boris’ various iniquities, we have been for a bit of a tour round the south west corner of South Australia. We have not been to Kangaroo Island, despite everyone’s recommendations as it has the most expensive ferry journey per kilometre in the world. You also need to be there for about 3 days to make the best of it. Maybe … Continue reading Fleurieu Peninsula